Short version: fly abroad at all? Global Entry. Domestic only? PreCheck. Fly a lot from a busy CLEAR airport, or have a card that pays? Add CLEAR+.
They stack. PreCheck is the faster security lane, CLEAR+ skips the ID check line, Global Entry skips the customs line when you come home.
| TSA PreCheck | Global Entry | CLEAR+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it skips | Standard security: shoes, belt, light jacket stay on; laptop and liquids stay in the bag | Customs/passport line coming back to the U.S. + everything PreCheck does | The ID-check line before security (uses your face). Not a security lane by itself |
| Cost | $79.75–$85 / 5 yrs | $120 / 5 yrs | $219 / yr |
| Where | U.S. airports with PreCheck lanes | Arrivals at Global Entry airports + PreCheck lanes | 67 U.S. airports |
| Kids | 17 and under free with you on the same reservation | Under 18: $0 fee, but each child needs their own membership | 17 and under free with a member |
| Interview | Short in-person appointment | Interview at an enrollment center (or Enrollment on Arrival) | Sign up at an airport CLEAR pod |
| Best for | Domestic-only flyers | Anyone who leaves the country even once in 5 years | Frequent flyers at busy CLEAR airports, or anyone whose card pays for it |
Official prices, checked 2026-11-11. Government programs last 5 years; CLEAR+ renews every year.
5 years, new enrollment through IDEMIA (cheapest). Telos $85.00, CLEAR $84.95. Online renewal from $58.75. Kids 17 and under ride along free on the same reservation. TSA
5 years. Includes TSA PreCheck plus fast customs coming home. Under-18s pay $0 when a parent is a member or applies with them. CBP
5 years each. NEXUS for U.S.–Canada, SENTRI for the U.S.–Mexico land border. Same $120 fee as Global Entry since Oct 1, 2024. CBP NEXUS · SENTRI
Add up to 3 adults at $125 each; kids 17 and under free with you. Military and government: $125/yr. At 67 U.S. airports. CLEAR
If you leave the U.S. even once in five years, get Global Entry: it costs $120 vs $79.75 for PreCheck and includes PreCheck. If a credit card pays the fee, always take Global Entry since it covers more.
CLEAR+ ($219/yr) skips the ID line, PreCheck skips the slow security lane; together they are the fastest. It pays off for frequent flyers at busy CLEAR airports, or for free if you hold a card with a CLEAR+ credit such as the Amex Platinum.
Per NerdWallet’s November 2026 list: Arvest Cobalt (up to $120), U.S. Bank Altitude Connect (up to $100), Fidelity Rewards (up to $100 in points) and Truist Enjoy Travel (up to $85).
Pay the application fee with the card that has the benefit. The issuer posts a statement credit within a few weeks. Most cards give it once every 4 years.
Yes. CLEAR’s location list includes Orlando (MCO), Miami (MIA), Tampa (TPA), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Palm Beach (PBI) and Sarasota (SRQ), checked 2026-11-11.
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